KUALA LUMPUR: The government is currently reviewing a proposal to enact a specific law relating to cyberbullying following instructions from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Deputy Minister in Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran said, in enacting the law, the views of all parties, including academics, will be considered.
"The government is currently reviewing proposals related to the enactment of laws on cyberbullying, in line with the prime minister's mandate.
"The views of all parties, including academics, will be considered towards the establishment of specific provisions for cyberbullying, which is becoming increasingly prevalent," he said during the ministry's winding-up speech on amendments to the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act in the Dewan Rakyat.
On Friday, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil had said Anwar had instructed the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the police to take action to curb cyberbullying.
The issue of cyberbullying recently came to light once again after the alleged suicide of a social media influencer in Gombak Setia, Selangor, due to pressure and depression she was said to have suffered after being cyberbullied.
Fahmi had said three steps to address cyberbullying were informed to the cabinet, including examining amendments to the existing laws, including the Penal Code and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, as well as related acts.
He had also said the ministry will scrutinise if there was a need to enact a new law related to cyberbullying.